Written Answers

Thursday 4 May 2000

Scottish Executive

Alcohol Misuse

Donald Gorrie (Central Scotland) (LD): To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will make representations to Her Majesty’s Government requesting that measures be taken to deter shopkeepers from selling extra-strong cider at cheap prices specifically in order to attract young people and the poorest adults, given the health and public order implications which such practices may have.

Mr Jim Wallace: No. Section 68 of the Licensing (Scotland) Act 1976 makes it an offence to sell alcoholic liquor to persons under the age of 18 years. Any public order implications can also be handled under existing Scots law. The Scottish Advisory Committee on Alcohol Misuse (SACAM) is already developing a national strategy to address all aspects of alcohol misuse in Scotland.

Autism

Mr Lloyd Quinan (West of Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has undertaken research into any possible relationship between the incidence of autistic spectrum disorder and vaccination against childhood illness.

Susan Deacon: Research has been carried out at a UK level to investigate alleged links between MMR vaccine and autism and has concluded that there is no evidence of any causal link.

  The most recent research, carried out by an expert group brought together by the Medical Research Council (MRC) in 1998, published its report on 3 April 2000. The group, chaired by Professor Alan McGregor of King’s College, London, confirmed previous findings and concluded that there is no new evidence to suggest a causal link between MMR vaccination and autism or inflammatory bowel disorders. At the same time, the MRC announced that it is to fund one of the largest studies of autism every attempted.

Cancer

Paul Martin (Glasgow Springburn) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive whether an action plan will be prepared by the Greater Glasgow Health Board which will set out the steps which will be taken to tackle the high levels of cancer deaths in Glasgow.

Paul Martin (Glasgow Springburn) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive what steps are being taken to improve cancer detection methods in Glasgow.

Pauline McNeill (Glasgow Kelvin) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive what action is planned to reduce the incidence of cancer in the Glasgow area.

Susan Deacon: I refer to my answer to question S1W-3720.

Cancer

Pauline McNeill (Glasgow Kelvin) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive how much was spent on breast cancer services in 1999 and how much is allocated to be spent on this area in 2000.

Pauline McNeill (Glasgow Kelvin) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive what improvements are being made in breast cancer care in Scotland.

Susan Deacon: Cancer services are one of the three top clinical priorities for the NHS in Scotland. The Scottish Executive is committed to reducing the incidence of all forms of cancer, including breast cancer, and we have set a challenging target of reducing the incidence of cancer by 20% over the next 10 years.

  In order to meet those targets we have in place a number of different policies aimed at improvements in the treatment and care of people with cancer. These include:

  supporting the breast cancer screening programme with funds of over £5 million per year;

  establishing one stop clinics for investigation and diagnosis of breast lumps, to reduce the anxiety of waiting for results;

  setting a national maximum waiting time for cancer treatment, to be delivered by March 2001;

  encouraging the use of the Scottish Intercollegiate Guideline Network (SIGN) guidelines on Breast Cancer in Women which was published in 1998;

  renewing and updating the guidelines on the Referral of Women with Breast Problems and issuing them to all GPs in Scotland, including new evidence and guidance on determining the urgency of individual cases;

  setting up three multi-disciplinary managed clinical networks on breast cancer across Scotland, allowing for the sharing and dissemination of good practice;

  encouraging referral of patients to specialist breast surgeons;

  undertaking prospective audits of breast cancer, among others, nationwide using the relevant SIGN guidelines;

  having the Scottish Cancer Group work with the Clinical Standards Board for Scotland on ways of improving quality of cancer care generally and on developing standards for assessment and accreditation of cancer services;

  supporting six research projects on or related to breast cancer through funding of £754,000;

  funding the Cancer Therapy Network to encourage the entry of as many patients as possible to clinical trials at a cost of £1 million.

  As cancer is an overall clinical priority for the NHS in Scotland and is tackled through many different routes, we do not require health boards and NHS Trusts to identify separately how much of their expenditure they devote to providing cancer services, but we expect them to give the treatment and care of all forms of cancer due priority in allocating their resources.

Cancer

Mary Scanlon (Highlands and Islands) (Con): To ask the Scottish Executive what plans there are to ensure that all women with ovarian cancer who could benefit from platinum/paclitaxel therapy advice receive it.

Susan Deacon: The treatment of women with ovarian cancer is a matter for specialists experienced in the management of cancer. The use of platinum/paclitaxel in the treatment of ovarian cancer depends on the clinical judgement of the specialist concerned.

Climate Change Levy

Fergus Ewing (Inverness East, Nairn and Lochaber) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will make representations to the Chancellor of the Exchequer in relation to the proposed Climate Change Levy to (a) provide adequate financial support to small and medium sized Scottish enterprises to allow them to adapt to the requirements of the levy and (b) add pipe insulation, refrigeration equipment and thermal screens to the proposed list of technologies qualifying for the enhanced capital allowances for businesses making energy saving investments.

Henry McLeish: As a tax measure, the Climate Change Levy is a matter reserved to the UK Government. We understand that the Government plans to extend the list of eligible technologies to include those listed in (b) and the list of technologies will be subject to further review. The Scottish Executive, through the Scottish Energy Efficiency Office (SEEO), already assists SMEs improve energy efficiency. We continually review these arrangements to take account of the impact of the levy and other measures which are introduced from time to time.

Clinical Waste

Mr Gil Paterson (Central Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will detail the disposal mechanisms used for clinical waste generated in Scotland.

Susan Deacon: Disposal of clinical waste generated by the NHS in Scotland is the responsibility of NHS Trusts and island health boards.

  The majority of Trusts in Scotland, along with the island health boards, have clinical waste disposal contracts in place with private sector companies. Two companies are involved, namely Eurocare Ltd and Dundee Energy Recycling Ltd. These companies were awarded their contracts following national tendering exercises. Exceptions are Borders’ Trusts and Orkney Health Board who have their own incinerator for clinical waste.

  The treatment processes involved are disinfection, using a hot oil auger system, and incineration. All processes are regulated by SEPA.

  Guidance on clinical waste management was issued by the NHS in Scotland Property and Environment Forum in Scottish Health Technical Memorandum No.3 Management and Disposal of Clinical Waste (April 1998).

Clinical Waste

Mr Gil Paterson (Central Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive what assurance it can give that the mechanisms for treating clinical waste infected with CJD or methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus are sufficient to ensure that these highly infectious prions and bacteria are destroyed.

Susan Deacon: Current guidance on the disposal of clinical waste from patients with suspected or actual variant Creutzfeldt-Jakob Disease (vCJD) is detailed in the 1998 report from the Advisory Committee on Dangerous Pathogens and the Spongiform Encephalopathy Advisory Committee (ACDP/SEAC), Transmissible Spongiform Encephalopathy Agents: Safe Working and the Prevention of Infection.  The report was circulated to health boards and NHS Trusts in Scotland. This guidance is reiterated in a Scottish Executive Health Department Management Executive Letter (1999)65: Variant Creutzfeldt Jakob Disease (vCJD): Minimising the Risk of Transmission which was issued on 31 August 1999.

  All agents of transmissible spongiform encephalopathies (TSEs) are categorised under the EC Classification of Biological Agents as belonging to Hazard Group 3. This means that they are considered to present significant risk to human health because of their severity of infection.

  Because of this all clinical waste from patients diagnosed, or suspected of, having vCJD or other TSEs should be disposed of by incineration at an authorised incineration site. For the safe handling of clinical waste, secure leak-proof containers are used which, where appropriate, should be double-bagged. External contamination of the container should be avoided.

Community Care

Mrs Margaret Ewing (Moray) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive what support it will give to the funding application by the Relatives Association of Scotland and what commitment it will give for long-term funding.

Iain Gray: The Relatives Association of Scotland has applied for funding under section 10 of the Social Work (Scotland) Act 1967 and section 16b of the National Health Service (Scotland) Act 1978. The association has already been informed that there is no scope to fund new community care organisations under section 10. The 16b application remains under consideration. I have recently met the association. I am interested in their potential contribution in support of our Strategy for Carers and am considering this further.

Criminal Records

Ben Wallace (North-East Scotland) (Con): To ask the Scottish Executive when the Review Group’s report regarding charging for criminal record checks under Part V of the Police Act 1977 will be published.

Mr Jim Wallace: The work of the review group is continuing. No date has been fixed for publication of a report but the review group appreciates the need for conclusions to be reached as quickly as possible.

DAKS Simpson

Karen Gillon (Clydesdale) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-5625 by Henry McLeish on 10 April 2000, what issues will the Minister raise with DAKS Simpson when he visits the company and when will that visit take place.

Henry McLeish: I intend to visit DAKS Simpson shortly. I will wish to discuss with the management and union representatives how best we can help those being made redundant find jobs and, as required by the company, what training programmes could be provided for those who will remain. We shall ensure that such support is being provided in accordance with the principals set out in our PACE (Partnership Action for Continuing Employment) document.

Drug Misuse

Mr Michael McMahon (Hamilton North and Bellshill) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive what progress is being made in developing shared care strategies to assist patients with opiate addiction in the Lanarkshire area.

Iain Gray: Lanarkshire Drug Action Team are committed to an extension of Shared Care activity in the area in line with the Action In Partnership strategy. This includes a comprehensive training and support service in which over 50% of GP practices in the area are participating. The Drug Action Team aim to have 80% of GP practices participating by 2002.

Drug Misuse

Karen Gillon (Clydesdale) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive what lessons it has learned from the USA in relation to tackling drug abuse.

Mr Jim Wallace: During the Deputy Minister for Justice's recent visit to the United States of America he had the opportunity to see at first hand a range of policies and practices for tackling the problem of drug misuse. The Scottish Executive will be reflecting on the lessons learned and whether there are approaches adopted by the Americans which might be incorporated into our arrangements in Scotland in the months ahead.

Drug Misuse

Mr Keith Raffan (Mid Scotland and Fife) (LD): To ask the Scottish Executive what was the total expenditure on tackling drug misuse during the last financial year and what proportion of that budget was spent on (i) enforcement, (ii) treatment and (iii) education.

Iain Gray: The directly attributable expenditure by the Scottish Executive on tackling drug misuse in 1999-2000 is estimated at £58.1 million, and generic spend at £85.4 million, resulting in a total of £143.5 million. The breakdown is estimated as 46% enforcement, 39% on treatment and rehabilitation and 15% on prevention/education.

  The findings of the current review of expenditure on drug misuse across the Executive will be published in due course. This is likely to identify further significant spend more widely attributable to action on combating drug misuse.

E-Commerce

Alex Neil (Central Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has submitted any comment to Her Majesty’s Government or the European Commission on the document relating to the e-Europe initiative which forms the basis of the draft EU strategy for e-commerce.

Peter Peacock: The Scottish Executive contributed to the UK Government’s response to the European Commission’s e-Europe initiative. I refer to my reply to question S1W-5821.

Education

David Mundell (South of Scotland) (Con): To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-5526 by Peter Peacock on 5 April 2000, how it intends to monitor its progress on initiatives such as the National Grid for Learning, the EU Lisbon Summit initiatives and the 60 commitments contained within the UK Cabinet Office report e-commerce@its.best.uk , without a central source of information identifying the number of schools having computers with high speed connections to the Internet.

Peter Peacock: National and international initiatives call for all schools to be connected to the Internet, but do not specify the nature of the connection. Scotland is already well on the way to meeting this target, with 93% of secondary schools and 49% of primary schools connected to the Internet by October 1999.

  The Scottish Executive wishes to go beyond the basic level of connectivity, and is in the process of selecting consultants to investigate how broadband connections might be provided to all Scottish schools. This study will also provide information about the types of connection currently available in schools.

Education

David Mundell (South of Scotland) (Con): To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-5527 by Peter Peacock on 5 April 2000, how it intends to implement the National Grid for Learning in Scotland without a clear definition of "computer" for educational purposes.

Peter Peacock: The National Grid for Learning will integrate modern information and communications technologies into the process of teaching and learning. The range of devices capable of delivering appropriate services is increasing all the time.

  A very precise definition of a computer would quickly be overtaken by developments in technology, and would risk limiting the flexibility of schools to select the devices most appropriate for particular purposes within the school. A more general definition would serve no useful purpose.

Education

David Mundell (South of Scotland) (Con): To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-5532 by Peter Peacock on 5 April 2000, how it intends to measure its progress in implementing the National Grid for Learning in Scotland without centrally monitoring the presence of IT technical support in secondary schools.

David Mundell (South of Scotland) (Con): To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-5531 by Peter Peacock on 5 April 2000, how it intends to measure its progress in implementing the National Grid for Learning in Scotland without centrally monitoring the presence of the IT technical support in primary schools.

Peter Peacock: It is for local authorities to determine the most effective way of providing technical support for ICT in their schools. This is being done in a variety of ways, not all of which will involve the permanent presence of technical staff in any individual school.

  In order to minimise the burden of data collection on schools and local authorities, the Scottish Executive tracks the progress of the National Grid for Learning by collecting information about a small number of key indicators, closely related to published targets, through the School Census and the Annual Survey of ICT.

  The important work of measuring the effectiveness of the National Grid for Learning is carried on through a range of research projects and HMI tasks. A baseline report on teachers ICT skills and knowledge needs was published in 1998, and one on pupils is in preparation. It is planned that both pieces of research will be repeated towards the end of the current programme. Other research under way includes an investigation of the different models of ICT support emerging across Scotland.

Education

David Mundell (South of Scotland) (Con): To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-5534 by Peter Peacock on 5 April 2000, which Scottish schools have developed their own Intranet to store, share and disseminate quickly information and resources, broken down by local authority area.

Peter Peacock: This information is not held centrally.

Enterprise

Bruce Crawford (Mid Scotland and Fife) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive when it expects Hyundai to begin production at its Dunfermline site and, if there is no expected date for production to begin, whether it or Scottish Enterprise has been in discussion with any other potential operators.

Henry McLeish: On 20 April 2000 the Scottish Executive and Scottish Enterprise welcomed the announcement that Motorola is to invest £1.3 billion in a state of the art project to be situated at the manufacturing facility in Dunfermline, acquired from Hyundai.

Environment

Mary Scanlon (Highlands and Islands) (Con): To ask the Scottish Executive whether local groups will be eligible in future to apply for funds for the upkeep and maintenance of footpaths.

Sarah Boyack: The forthcoming legislation to establish a statutory right of responsible access will not introduce any change in the provision of funding to local groups. The legislation will introduce powers to allow local authorities to maintain footpaths that form part of their core path networks.

Environment

Mary Scanlon (Highlands and Islands) (Con): To ask the Scottish Executive whether any additional money will be provided to maintain footpaths under the "Right to Roam" legislation.

Sarah Boyack: Legislation to establish a right of responsible access is only one element of a package of measures necessary to ensure greater opportunity for people to enjoy the countryside. Resources will also be required for the establishment and maintenance of path networks in each local authority area. We are already making additional funds available to Scottish Natural Heritage for access-related work, and are looking at the requirements of local authorities in the context of the spending review.

Environment

Mary Scanlon (Highlands and Islands) (Con): To ask the Scottish Executive who will be responsible for the upkeep of footpaths under the "Right to Roam" legislation.

Sarah Boyack: The legislation to establish a right of responsible access will require local authorities to establish core path networks in their areas, and will include powers for local authorities to maintain them.

Environment

Tavish Scott (Shetland) (LD): To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has made any representations to Her Majesty’s Government or the European Commission regarding the proposed EC directive on strategic environmental assessment.

Sarah Boyack: The Scottish Executive has contributed to the UK negotiating line on the proposed Directive.

Environment

Tavish Scott (Shetland) (LD): To ask the Scottish Executive what proposals it has to ensure that it fulfils the commitment to introduce strategic environmental assessment set out in Making it Work Together: A Programme for Government within the lifetime of the current Parliament.

Sarah Boyack: Strategic environmental assessment will be a valuable tool in the delivery of our Programme for Government commitment to delivery of sustainable development. The Ministerial Group on Sustainable Scotland has already taken significant steps to ensure that sustainable development is embedded in Government and these will take effect over coming months. The EC Directive is now expected to be adopted by the end of the year. The clarity and uniformity which the EC Directive offers will be of considerable assistance in enabling organisations to make decisions about programmes for themselves. We believe it important to implement the Directive as it finally emerges rather than to act prematurely on an interim text.

Environment

Tavish Scott (Shetland) (LD): To ask the Scottish Executive whether the Ministerial Group on Sustainable Scotland has formally discussed plans to introduce strategic environmental assessment.

Sarah Boyack: No specific discussion of strategic environmental assessment has taken place in the first two meetings of the Ministerial Group on Sustainable Scotland. Progress on the European Directive will determine at what point it will be useful to instigate a more formal approach to strategic environmental assessment.

Exports

Mr Andy Kerr (East Kilbride) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive what factors have contributed to the rise in Scottish manufacturing exports.

Henry McLeish: The rise in Scottish manufacturing exports clearly demonstrates the ability and commitment of companies in Scotland to perform successfully in the world marketplace. In particular the 6.6% growth in real terms last year was achieved during particularly difficult global trading conditions. This increase was primarily driven by continued growth in the electronics industry, which is Scotland’s largest export sector, and the chemicals sector. Exporters have also benefited from the Export Development Strategy for Scotland which provides a focused framework for the support provided by Scottish Trade International and the network of Local Export Partnerships.

Fireworks

Donald Gorrie (Central Scotland) (LD): To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will consider extending provisions in the Civic Government (Scotland) Act 1982 to cover licensing shops to sell fireworks.

Henry McLeish: The Scottish Executive currently has no such plans.

Fireworks

Mrs Margaret Smith (Edinburgh West) (LD): To ask the Scottish Executive, in the light of the public nuisance which can be caused by fireworks, whether it plans to make representations to Her Majesty’s Government regarding the introduction of further limits on the sale of fireworks, allowing local authorities to limit their sale through the use of local bylaws, or making passing fireworks on to minors an offence.

Henry McLeish: The Scottish Executive recognises the concerns about the misuse of fireworks. However, the UK Government undertook a comprehensive review of the controls on fireworks in 1996 which led to the Fireworks (Safety) Regulations 1997, introducing controls on the supply of certain fireworks and raising the age at which persons can be sold fireworks from 16 to 18 years of age. These controls, together with targeted safety campaigns, played a significant part in reducing firework injuries and incidents of misuse during the 1997 and 1998 firework seasons.

Freight

Mr Murray Tosh (South of Scotland) (Con): To ask the Scottish Executive what audit process exists to ensure that value for money has been achieved from awards under the Freight Facilities Grant Scheme.

Sarah Boyack: Each project that has received Freight Facilities Grant is fully assessed during the application procedure to ensure it meets the programme’s criteria and delivers value for money. It is monitored throughout its lifetime to ensures it fully delivers the environmental benefits for which it was funded. The programme itself is subject to periodic internal audit. The last such audit occurred in 1997.

Fuel Duty

Mr Murray Tosh (South of Scotland) (Con): To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has made representations to Her Majesty's Government to ensure that VAT levied on any fuel tax increases above the rate of inflation will be hypothecated for transport spending, in addition to the fuel duty itself, and reflected in the Scottish Block.

Mr Jack McConnell: Fuel duty was not raised above the rate of inflation in the budget, but I am very pleased that the Assigned Budget was nonetheless enhanced by some £15.9 million which we intend to allocate for transport purposes.

General Practitioners

Mary Scanlon (Highlands and Islands) (Con): To ask the Scottish Executive why general practitioners are paid an "item per service" fee for diphtheria, polio and tetanus vaccine and not for the flu vaccine.

Susan Deacon: GPs do not receive item of service payments to provide the main target group with diphtheria, polio and tetanus vaccine. They receive target payments if they immunise at least 70% of children aged five and under on their medical list, and a higher target payment if they achieve 90%. An item of service fee is paid for vaccinations outwith the target group. Target payments are paid to encourage GPs to immunise in order to achieve herd immunity.

  The provision of influenza vaccination has been regarded as a matter of good clinical practice in the management of patients who may be at risk of developing complications from influenza. GPs have available advice from the Chief Medical Officer and the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation on "at risk" groups.

Genetically Modified Crops

Mr Kenny MacAskill (Lothians) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has made any representations regarding mandatory public liability insurance for farms involved in GM crop trials and, if so, to whom these representations were made.

Sarah Boyack: No. The Scottish Executive’s main priority has always been to ensure the protection of the environment and human health. The farm scale trials are the latest in a comprehensive series of rigorous tests designed to ensure that the crops concerned are safe to human and animal health, and to the environment. There are currently no provisions in Scots or UK law covering liability for damage caused specifically by genetically modified organisms. However, under the terms of the Environmental Protection Act 1990, there are powers to prosecute where conditions attached to a deliberate release consent are breached.

Genetically Modified Crops

Mr Kenny MacAskill (Lothians) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive whether it or Her Majesty’s Government will represent Scotland in any representations to the European Union on mandatory public liability insurance for GM crop trials; what input it will have into any such representations if these are to be made by Her Majesty’s Government and which UK Department will take the lead in making any such representations.

Sarah Boyack: The wider issue of environmental liability is being considered at present by the European Commission, which has prepared a White Paper for consultation. Her Majesty’s Government will represent the UK in all international and European Union negotiations. The lead UK Department on international environmental matters is the Department of the Environment Transport and the Regions (DETR). In line with normal practice, the Scottish Executive will be consulted on the development of a UK negotiating position.

Health

Ben Wallace (North-East Scotland) (Con): To ask the Scottish Executive to detail the number of operations cancelled for non-medical reasons by year, and by health board, since 1996.

Susan Deacon: Information on the number of operations cancelled specifically for non-medical reasons is not collected.

  Details of the total number of cancellations of planned admissions to hospital for inpatient and day-case treatment, by health board area of treatment, for the years ending 31 March 1996, 1997, 1998 and 1999, are given in the table. The figures show cancellations of all planned admissions to hospital including, because no distinction can be made, those where no operation was required.

  Information on cancellations of hospital planned admissions is published annually in Scottish Health Statistics.

  NHS in Scotland: Cancellations of Hospital Admissions1 by Health Board Area of Treatment; Years Ending 31 March 1996 to 31 March 1999

  


Health Board
  

31 March 1996
  

31 March 1997
  

31 March 1998
  

31 March 1999
  



Argyll and Clyde
  

253
  

634
  

674
  

828
  



Ayrshire and Arran
  

184
  

179
  

241
  

289
  



Borders
  

220
  

283
  

272
  

287
  



Dumfries and Galloway
  

43
  

58
  

99
  

220
  



Fife
  

656
  

880
  

877
  

796
  



Forth Valley
  

112
  

182
  

283
  

268
  



Grampian
  

1,364
  

1,435
  

1,432
  

1,874
  



Greater Glasgow2


1,923
  

-
  

-
  

2,468
  



Highland
  

912
  

887
  

692
  

750
  



Lanarkshire
  

252
  

262
  

93
  

281
  



Lothian
  

2,326
  

2,507
  

1,888
  

2,170
  



Orkney
  

4
  

13
  

23
  

7
  



Shetland
  

13
  

26
  

16
  

24
  



Tayside
  

881
  

765
  

937
  

947
  



Western Isles
  

5
  

10
  

4
  

9
  



  Source: ISD, Scotland.

  Notes:

  1. Cancellations made by hospital of admission of patients from the waiting list.

  2. Information for the years ending 31 March 1997 and 31 March 1998 is not available in the Greater Glasgow Health Board area.

Health

Mr Kenneth Gibson (Glasgow) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive what it is doing to spread good practice in particular areas or specialities across all NHSiS hospitals and specialities.

Susan Deacon: The Scottish Executive employs a wide variety of methods to spread good practice, including the development of specialty networks; support for local and national education meetings, facilitation initiatives and conferences; the publication and distribution of key reports identifying quality improvements and the development of websites and newsletters to facilitate access to information.

  Examples include the Scottish Design Network, which provides a forum for the exchange of ideas and information in support of changing the way services are delivered; the regular conferences, annual national symposium and new website developed by the Clinical Resource and Audit Group (CRAG) to share best practice in clinical effectiveness (www.show.scot.nhs.uk/crag) and NHS way ahead, the newsletter for the National Health Service in Scotland.

Health Promotion

Irene McGugan (North-East Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive what plans it has to take forward the Scottish Berry Project proposals to protect the viability of raspberry growers and promote health benefits.

Ross Finnie: The Berry Project was considered for funding from a number of sources including the "Heart of Scotland" and Starting Well" health demonstration projects that were announced in the White Paper Towards a Healthier Scotland . The project was not selected in the face of strong competition. The Scottish Executive are exploring other avenues of support for a project which has potential to provide benefits both to the raspberry industry and to the health of the nation.

Highlands and Islands Airports

Tavish Scott (Shetland) (LD): To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will list the members of the Board of Highlands and Islands Airports Ltd, including details of each board member’s duties, annual remuneration and the date each appointment is due for review.

Sarah Boyack: The information is as follows:

  


Name
  

Remuneration
  

Appointment expiry 
  date
  



Peter J Grant CBE, Chair
  

£18,188
  

28.02.2001
  



Robert Macleod, Managing Director
  

£61,965
  

08.06.2000
  



Francis W F Hamilton#
  

£5,807
  

31.07.2001
  



William K Semple#
  

£5,807
  

30.09.2000
  



William Brackenridge#
  

£5,807
  

30.11.2002
  



Stuart Edmond#
  

£5,807
  

31.03.2003
  



  The members of the Board of Highlands and Islands Airports Ltd are appointed to oversee the strategic direction of the company and its expenditure. Issues considered by the HIAL Board include financial, operational, development and miscellaneous responsibilities such as pay and the business priorities of the company. The time commitment of non-executive members is assumed to be two days per month and of the chairman 1½ days per week.

  #Non-Executive Members

Highlands and Islands Airports

Tavish Scott (Shetland) (LD): To ask the Scottish Executive what criteria are used when selecting members of the Board of Highlands and Islands Airports Ltd.

Sarah Boyack: The criteria used when selecting Members to the Board of Highlands and Islands Airports Ltd (HIAL) are:

  Skills

  Analytical and strategic skills.

  Effective presentational, communication and negotiating skills.

  Ability to provide inspiration and motivation for the HIAL Board.

  *Ability to speak Gaelic.

  Knowledge

  Broad knowledge of Highlands and Islands issues.

  Knowledge of aviation/transport issues.

  *Knowledge of NDPBs/Nationalised Industries and the Public Policy Framework.

  Experience

  Proven experience at a senior level in the areas of business, finance, local government (aviation/transport).

  Qualifications

  Qualifications and/or experience in relevant subjects and issues such as business, finance, local government (aviation or transport).

  * Desirable criteria (the remainder are necessary criteria).

Highlands and Islands Airports

Tavish Scott (Shetland) (LD): To ask the Scottish Executive what the terms of reference are for members of the Board of Highlands and Islands Airports Ltd and what measures are in place to ensure that these are followed.

Sarah Boyack: The Board of HIAL is expected to oversee the strategic direction of the company and its expenditure, and to represent HIAL at the highest level. The Scottish Executive liaises on a regular basis with the Chairman of HIAL and meets the members through the presence of an assessor at board meetings.

Highlands and Islands Airports

Tavish Scott (Shetland) (LD): To ask the Scottish Executive what criteria are used by Highlands and Islands Airports Ltd in determining its maintenance strategy.

Sarah Boyack: The maintenance strategy of Highlands & Islands Airports Limited for runways, taxiways and ramps is determined following independent inspection by expert consultants and consideration by the company of regulatory and safety requirements. Other maintenance requirements, including buildings, mechanical and electrical installations are determined by the company’s engineers and prioritised in the light of consultation with airport managers.

Highlands and Islands Airports

Tavish Scott (Shetland) (LD): To ask the Scottish Executive what criteria are used by Highlands and Islands Airports Ltd in determining its capital investment strategy.

Sarah Boyack: Highlands & Islands Airports Limited prepares business cases for capital investment to determine best value for money. Analytical studies are also carried out on a regular basis to assess the lifespan and regulatory compliance of existing infrastructure. Proposed investments are considered and, where appropriate, prioritised in accordance with operational, statutory and regulatory demands and financial implications.

Hospitals

John Scott (Ayr) (Con): To ask the Scottish Executive when Seafield Hospital, Ayr, ceased to be operational; what property costs including security costs will have been incurred on Seafield Hospital between that date and 31 March 2000; what proposals there are for the future use of the entire site, and what timescale has been determined for any disposal, re-sale or development of the site.

Susan Deacon: I have been advised by Ayrshire and Arran Health Board that Seafield Hospital, Ayr, ceased to be operational as a hospital in 1991 but was used as the Health Board Headquarters until December 1996. An offer of purchase was approved by the health board in September 1998. Missives are expected to be completed in the current financial year, once planning permission has been given and a surface drainage problem has been resolved. It will be up to the purchaser to decide how the site will be developed. Property expenses, including security costs, between December 1996 and 31 March 2000 have totalled £346,000.

Housing

Des McNulty (Clydebank and Milngavie) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive what the annual costs were to each local authority for the removal of asbestos from (a) their housing stock and (b) those public buildings for which it has responsibility, broken down for each of the last three years for which figures are available.

Ms Wendy Alexander: The table below sets out the annual cost to each local authority for the removal or encapsulation of asbestos from council owned housing stock over the past three years from 1997, including an estimated figure for 1999-2000. The Scottish Executive does not hold information centrally about the extent of similar work carried out to public buildings.

  Asbestos Removal/Encapsulation in Local Authority Housing

  

 

£ million
  



 


1997-98
  

1998-99
  

1999-2000 Estimate
  


 

No. of Dwellings
  

Outturn
  

No. of Dwellings
  

Outturn
  

No. of Dwellings
  

Outturn
  



Scotland
  

99
  

0.500
  

237
  

0.123
  

885
  

1.045
  



Aberdeen City
  

-
  

-
  

-
  

-
  

-
  

-
  



Aberdeenshire
  

-
  

-
  

-
  

-
  

-
  

-
  



Angus
  

-
  

-
  

-
  

-
  

-
  

-
  



Argyll and Bute
  

-
  

-
  

-
  

-
  

-
  

-
  



Clackmannanshire
  

-
  

-
  

-
  

-
  

-
  

0.060
  



Comharlie 
  

-
  

-
  

-
  

-
  

-
  

-
  



Dumfries and Galloway
  

-
  

-
  

-
  

-
  

43
  

0.665
  



Dundee City
  

-
  

-
  

-
  

-
  

-
  

-
  



East Ayrshire
  

-
  

-
  

-
  

-
  

65
  

0.050
  



East Dunbartonshire
  

3
  

0.002
  

-
  

-
  

-
  

-
  



East Lothian
  

-
  

-
  

-
  

-
  

-
  

-
  



East Renfrewshire
  

-
  

-
  

-
  

-
  

-
  

-
  



City of Edinburgh
  

-
  

-
  

-
  

-
  

-
  

-
  



Falkirk
  

-
  

-
  

-
  

-
  

-
  

-
  



Fife
  

-
  

-
  

-
  

-
  

-
  

-
  



Glasgow City
  

-
  

-
  

-
  

-
  

576
  

0.150
  



Highland
  

-
  

-
  

-
  

-
  

-
  

-
  



Inverclyde
  

-
  

-
  

-
  

-
  

-
  

-
  



Midlothian
  

-
  

-
  

-
  

-
  

-
  

0.015
  



Moray
  

-
  

-
  

-
  

-
  

-
  

-
  



North Ayrshire
  

-
  

-
  

-
  

-
  

-
  

-
  



North Lanarkshire
  

-
  

-
  

-
  

-
  

-
  

-
  



Orkney Islands
  

-
  

-
  

-
  

-
  

-
  

-
  



Perth and Kinross
  

-
  

-
  

-
  

-
  

-
  

-
  



Renfrewshire
  

-
  

-
  

1
  

0.005
  

1
  

0.005
  



Scottish Borders
  

-
  

-
  

-
  

-
  

-
  

-
  



Shetland
  

-
  

-
  

-
  

-
  

-
  

-
  



South Ayrshire
  

96
  

0.476
  

236
  

0.118
  

200
  

0.100
  



South Lanarkshire
  

-
  

-
  

-
  

-
  

-
  

-
  



Stirling
  

-
  

-
  

-
  

-
  

-
  

-
  



West Dunbartonshire
  

-
  

0.022
  

-
  

-
  

-
  

-
  



West Lothian
  

-
  

-
  

-
  

-
  

-
  

-
  



  Source: Housing Capital Programme returns 1998-99 and 1999-2000.

Land Reform

Euan Robson (Roxburgh and Berwickshire) (LD): To ask the Scottish Executive how widely it consulted before bringing forward its proposals on land reform.

Mr Jim Wallace: The land reform policy development process has been highly consultative, and our proposals have benefited as a result.

  The Partnership Government embraced recommendations by the Land Reform Policy Group. These were informed by very extensive consultation. The Executive’s Land Reform White Paper of last July was distributed widely: 14,800 copies were issued, including copies to those who had commented previously, and 13 local seminars were held. Meetings with relevant representative bodies and individuals have also helped to inform our proposals. In early summer we plan to consult on our draft Land Reform Bill.

Land Reform

Mr Duncan McNeil (Greenock and Inverclyde) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive what effect proposals to remove access to water in the draft Land Reform Bill will have on the Scottish tourist industry, in particular in relation to water sports and activities.

Henry McLeish: The Executive is committed to legislate to introduce a statutory right of access to land and inland water, subject to a Code of responsible behaviour. The legislation will benefit Scottish tourism by enhancing the opportunities for people to engage in recreational activities on land and inland water.

Local Government

Mr Keith Harding (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Con): To ask the Scottish Executive when the Minister for Communities last met CoSLA and what issues they discussed.

Ms Wendy Alexander: I last met with CoSLA’s Social Affairs Forum on 2 March 2000 to discuss housing matters.

Ministerial Correspondence

Roseanna Cunningham (Perth) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive when the Health Minister will answer my letter of 8 December 1999 and my reminder of 24 January 2000 regarding the concerns of the Dundee Royal Neurosurgical Unit Fund.

Susan Deacon: A further copy of the correspondence has been requested and a reply will be sent as soon as possible.

NHS Funding

Mr Kenneth Gibson (Glasgow) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive what plans it has to increase capital budgets in the NHS above the levels already announced.

Susan Deacon: The Scottish Executive has increased capital investment in the NHS in Scotland from £136 million two years ago to £179 million this year. We will increase investment to at least £194 million next year – a rise of over 40% in just three years.

  In addition, we anticipate £171 million will be invested this year through PPP is estimated for the current year and we have committed a further £41 million to the NHS from the Capital Modernisation Fund.

NHS Funding

Ben Wallace (North-East Scotland) (Con): To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-5496 by Susan Deacon on 4 April 2000, whether Scotland’s share of the £2 billion extra for the NHS in the UK is new and additional to Scotland’s block grant for the coming year.

Susan Deacon: Scotland received an extra £173 million for 2000-01 as its share of the £2 billion extra for the NHS in the UK. This funding is in addition to the increases for health agreed in the Budget Bill and will bring health provision for 2000-01 to £5,415 million.

NHS Pay

Mr Duncan Hamilton (Highlands and Islands) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive what groups have expressed an interest in joining the Nurses Pay Review Body.

Susan Deacon: The possible extension to the remit and coverage of the NPRB forms part of the wider negotiations on NHS pay modernisation which are ongoing between the four UK Health Departments, healthcare trades unions and NHS managers.

NHS Pay

Mr Duncan Hamilton (Highlands and Islands) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive when it expects Agenda for Change – Modernising the NHS Pay System to be concluded.

Susan Deacon: The Scottish Executive, along with the other three Health Departments, is taking forward negotiations on Agenda for Change  on a UK basis .

  The timetable for concluding modernisation of the NHS pay system has yet to be agreed and will form part of planned discussions between the Scottish Executive, NHS in Scotland management and representatives of healthcare trades unions and professional bodies.

NHS Staff

Mary Scanlon (Highlands and Islands) (Con): To ask the Scottish Executive what plans it has to increase the number of specialist clinical, medical and surgical oncologists working in the NHSiS.

Susan Deacon: The Scottish Executive and the Scottish Council for Postgraduate Medical and Dental Education recently carried out an annual review of the Specialist Registrar (SpR) establishment. The review determines the numbers of higher specialist training numbers available for each specialty, which in turn determines the number of doctors who will be qualified to fill consultant vacancies in the future.

  It has been agreed that the number of SpRs in both medical and clinical oncology will be increased. Medical oncology will benefit from an increase of five posts from 12 to 17 and clinical oncology will rise by an additional seven posts, from 16 to 23.

  Work is being undertaken, commissioned by the Scottish Cancer Group and funded by the Health Department’s Clinical Resource and Audit Group, to model future trends in cancer incidence taking into account available evidence relating to new developments/interventions and emerging technological advances in managing cancer. The results of this work – which is expected later this year – will be valuable in informing future services and workforce planning for the various clinical specialties involved in the treatment and care of people with cancer.

NHS Waiting Times

Kay Ullrich (West of Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive to provide a breakdown by health board area of waiting times for (a) orthopaedic outpatient appointments and (b) orthopaedic surgery.

Susan Deacon: Information on the median waiting time for a first outpatient orthopaedic appointment following a General Medical Practitioner referral, and for orthopaedic surgery, by health board of residence, for the year ending 31 December 1999, is provided in the table.

  NHS in Scotland: Median Waiting Times For A First Outpatient Orthopaedic Appointment1 And For Orthopaedic Surgery. Year Ending 31 December 1999p.

  


Health Board
  

Median Wait For 
  First Outpatient Appointment1 (Days)
  

Median Wait For 
  Surgery (Days)
  



Argyll and Clyde
  

77
  

78
  



Ayrshire and Arran
  

63
  

56
  



Borders
  

64
  

60
  



Dumfries and Galloway
  

77
  

49
  



Fife
  

70
  

92
  



Forth Valley
  

122
  

109
  



Grampian
  

58
  

45
  



Greater Glasgow
  

97
  

86
  



Highland
  

129
  

77
  



Lanarkshire
  

124
  

53
  



Lothian
  

85
  

78
  



Orkney
  

28
  

48
  



Shetland
  

47
  

50
  



Tayside
  

49
  

54
  



Western Isles
  

81
  

30
  



  Source: ISD Scotland.

  p  Provisional.

  Notes:

  1. Excludes patients with a Patient’s Charter guarantee exception code.

NHS Waiting Times

Kay Ullrich (West of Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive to provide a breakdown, by health board area, of waiting times for hip replacement operations.

Susan Deacon: Information on the median waiting time for routine primary total hip replacement, by health board of residence, for the year ending 31 December 1999, is provided in the table.

  NHS in Scotland: Median Waiting Times for Primary Total Hip Replacement - Year Ending 31 December 1999p.

  


Health Board
  

Median Wait (Days)
  



Argyll and Clyde
  

138
  



Ayrshire and Arran
  

89
  



Borders
  

147
  



Dumfries and Galloway
  

165
  



Fife
  

139
  



Forth Valley
  

209
  



Grampian
  

88
  



Greater Glasgow
  

201
  



Highland
  

196
  



Lanarkshire
  

82
  



Lothian
  

147
  



Orkney
  

40
  



Shetland
  

101
  



Tayside
  

78
  



Western Isles
  

45
  



  Source: ISD, Scotland.

  p Provisional

NHS Waiting Times

Kay Ullrich (West of Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive to provide a breakdown, by health board area, of waiting times for knee replacement operations.

Susan Deacon: Information on the median waiting time for primary total knee replacement, by health board area of residence, for the year ending 31 December 1999, is given in the table.

  NHS in Scotland: Median Waiting Times for Primary Total Knee Replacement Operations - Year Ending 31 December 1999p

  


Health Board
  

Median Wait (Days)
  



Argyll and Clyde
  

181
  



Ayrshire and Arran
  

110
  



Borders
  

159
  



Dumfries and Galloway
  

161
  



Fife
  

162
  



Forth Valley
  

234
  



Grampian
  

101
  



Greater Glasgow
  

221
  



Highland
  

216
  



Lanarkshire
  

85
  



Lothian
  

166
  



Orkney
  

64
  



Shetland
  

106
  



Tayside
  

110
  



Western Isles
  

14
  



  Source: ISD, Scotland.

  p Provisional.

Nutrition

Alex Johnstone (North-East Scotland) (Con): To ask the Scottish Executive whether 15% of children admitted to hospital in Glasgow are found to be suffering from malnutrition.

Susan Deacon: Information on the percentage of children admitted to hospitals in Glasgow who are found to be suffering from malnutrition is not held by the Scottish Executive.

  Eating a healthy and balanced diet is an important factor in the prevention of malnutrition. A number of dietary initiatives, in the context of the ongoing implementation of the Scottish Diet Action Plan Eating for Health, are now underway with a view to enabling Scottish children to have access to a healthy diet.

Objective 2 Funding

Ben Wallace (North-East Scotland) (Con): To ask the Scottish Executive what are the areas that are eligible to receive transitional European Structural Funding as a result of losing Objective 2 status in the 2000-06 funding round.

Mr Jack McConnell: The areas which are eligible for transitional funding in Scotland are those that lost Objective 2 and 5b status when the map was redrawn in 1999. A list of the wards now in transition is available in SPICe.

Police

Richard Lochhead (North-East Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive whether it plans any additional measures to assist Grampian Police to deliver an improved service.

Mr Jim Wallace: In Making It Work Together: A Programme for Government the Executive sets out a number of initiatives that will help all police forces in Scotland to deliver an improved service.

Programme for Government

Elaine Thomson (Aberdeen North) (Lab): To ask the First Minister what progress has been made towards achieving the commitments in the Partnership for Scotland during the first year of the Scottish Parliament.

Donald Dewar: The Executive is making excellent progress in achieving its priorities as set out in its programme for action, Making It Work Together: A Programme for Government .

  Only 1 of the 37 Programme for Government commitments due to be in place by May 2000 remains outstanding. A further four commitments not yet due for implementation have also been delivered.

Protection of Wild Mammals (Scotland) Bill

Fergus Ewing (Inverness East, Nairn and Lochaber) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive what its estimate is of the number of persons whose employment may be jeopardised by the passage into law of the Protection of Wild Mammals (Scotland) Bill and whether it will meet representatives of those persons whose livelihoods may be lost in this way.

Ross Finnie: The Scottish Executive has made no such estimate. The study currently being undertaken by the Macaulay Land Use Research Institute will cover the potential effects of the Bill on the rural economy. Representatives of all opinion on the Bill may submit evidence to the lead committee considering details of the Bill.

Rail Network

Mr Kenny MacAskill (Lothians) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive to provide details of any plans it has to seek, or support, further electrification of the Scottish rail network.

Sarah Boyack: The Scottish Ministers will be able to issue directions and guidance to the Strategic Rail Authority for the franchise providing passenger rail services which begin and end in Scotland. They will reflect strategic priorities for the provision of passenger rail services throughout Scotland and build upon the good working relations that already exist between the Strategic Rail Authority, Train Operating Companies and Railtrack. It would then be for the Train Operating Company, in conjunction with Railtrack, to ensure the availability of the necessary infrastructure and rolling stock to meet the terms of the franchise.

Rail Network

Michael Russell (South of Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive what action it has taken recently to bring to completion the plans for a Larkhall rail link.

Sarah Boyack: The Larkhall to Milngavie rail route project is the responsibility of the Strathclyde Passenger Transport Authority as the public passenger transport body for the area. Scottish Executive officials have met SPTE officials on a number of occasions, most recently in March to discuss the authority’s reappraisal of the investment case for the project and related issues. Before a decision can be taken about the eligibility of the project for level playing field support under the PPP arrangements, the Executive needs to receive the Full Business Case from the authority. I understand this is now expected in May or June.

Rape

Mr Gil Paterson (Central Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive what measures it is taking to ensure that the health service is informed of the consequences of rape and is able to provide an appropriate service to those seeking help.

Susan Deacon: It is important that the NHS provides an appropriate response to those presenting as victims of abuse, including rape. Sympathetic, non-judgmental clinical investigation and treatment is essential. The NHS in Scotland has, in recent years, put in place processes to improve its response to victims of rape and other types of abuse. Recent developments in Glasgow, Edinburgh and Lanarkshire, for example, indicate the emphasis which the Scottish Executive expects to be put on aspects such as appropriate training of staff, close co-operation with voluntary organisations involved with victims of abuse, developing appropriate protocols in Accident and Emergency settings, and having proper frameworks for monitoring and evaluating the services provided to rape and other victims of abuse.

  The Scottish Executive will continue to promote this kind of approach throughout the NHS in Scotland.

Road Accidents

Nora Radcliffe (Gordon) (LD): To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-5275 by Mr Jim Wallace on 24 March 2000, whether it will monitor the number of mobile phone related accidents in Scotland and whether it will publish figures for recent years.

Sarah Boyack: Statistics relating to mobile phone related road accidents are not available.

  A comprehensive review of research about the safety of hands-free and hand-held mobile phones was carried out by the Transport Research Laboratory and the results published in 1997. The review found that there was no unequivocal evidence of a causal link between mobile phones and accidents, but that the various studies highlighted a distraction to varying degrees by both hand-held and hands-free mobile phones, which in the more complex cases might carry safety risks. For this reason the Highway Code recommends that drivers should never use a telephone whilst driving and the UK Government will continue to promote this message through publicity campaigns.

Roads

Dr Elaine Murray (Dumfries) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive whether, consequent to the recent fatal road traffic accident on the A7 South of Langholm, it will prioritise the upgrade of the Auchenrivock section of this trunk road.

Sarah Boyack: May I first of all express my sympathies to the casualties and the relatives of those who died in the recent accident. In this case, the factors contributing to the accident do not appear to be related to the condition or layout of the road and no road contributory factors have been identified. However, the Auchenrivock improvement will be included in our forthcoming review of future investment in outstanding route action plan schemes.

Roads

Alasdair Morgan (Galloway and Upper Nithsdale) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will undertake a re-examination of any planned improvements to the A76 in the light of the road’s safety record.

Sarah Boyack: The A76 Route Action Plan Study included a review of road safety. Three improvements costing £2.3 million are currently being prepared for construction.

Rolls Royce

Mr Kenneth Gibson (Glasgow) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive what discussions it has had with management and unions at the Rolls Royce aero engine plant at Hillington regarding plans to shed 154 jobs.

Henry McLeish: The Executive and the local enterprise company have been in discussion with Rolls Royce about its plans for the Hillington site. I am pleased to say that the number of redundancies now likely has fallen to 87 and may be even further reduced as a result of new orders. We will remain in close contact with the company to discuss its plans for the future.

Schools

Tricia Marwick (Mid Scotland and Fife) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive how many schools have had CCTV installed as a result of the Dunblane tragedy and how many have not.

Peter Peacock: The installation of CCTV equipment is one of a range of measures which education authorities and schools may consider as a means of improving school security. Information on the security measures in place at individual schools is not collected centrally.

Schools

Mr Kenneth Gibson (Glasgow) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive how many private schools enjoy charitable status and receive discretionary rates relief, and which local authorities offer mandatory relief only.

Peter Peacock: This information is not collected centrally.

Scottish University for Industry

David Mundell (South of Scotland) (Con): To ask the Scottish Executive what locations it actively considered as a location for the headquarters of the Scottish University for Industry.

Henry McLeish: In its initial search for a location for the Scottish University for Industry, the Scottish Executive’s Land and Property Division undertook a trawl of public sector space available right across Scotland. Initial consideration was also given to a number of other locations suggested by various organisations and individuals. Further consideration was then given to what location would best meet the business and operational needs of the Scottish UfI. Both the Scottish UfI Advisory Group and the Scottish UfI Ltd felt that a central Glasgow location would best meet these needs. A short list of seven sites within Glasgow was produced.

  On the basis of business criteria set out by the company and endorsed by the Scottish UfI Advisory Group, the Europa Building, Argyle Street, Glasgow, emerged as the most favourable site.

Scottish University for Industry

David Mundell (South of Scotland) (Con): To ask the Scottish Executive what consultation took place with other parties on the location of the headquarters of the Scottish University for Industry.

Henry McLeish: The Scottish University for Industry Advisory Group was consulted both on the most suitable area within Scotland to locate the new organisation’s headquarters and also on the business criteria against which an area and specific site should be measured. The Scottish UfI Advisory Group recommended a central belt site and took the view that Glasgow best met the organisation’s business case. Europa Building was later identified as meeting all the criteria of the business case.

Task Forces

Fergus Ewing (Inverness East, Nairn and Lochaber) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-4773 by Mr Jack McConnell on 6 April 2000, what the five task forces are which have been established since July 1999, and what is the membership or composition of each.

Mr Jack McConnell: The information requested is set out in the table below:

  


Task Force
  

Membership
  



Homelessness Task Force
  

Ms Jackie Baillie (Chair) Deputy 
  Minister for Communities
  


 

Councillor Rita Miller, Convener 
  of Community Services, South AyrshireCouncil
  


 

Mr Mark Turley, Director of Housing, 
  Edinburgh City Council
  


 

Mr Robert Aldridge, Director, Scottish 
  Council for Single Homeless
  


 

Ms Liz Nicholson, Director, Shelter, 
  Scotland
  


 

Ms Margaret Taylor, Director, Glasgow 
  Council for Single Homeless
  


 

Mr Mel Young, Director, The Big 
  Issue in Scotland
  


 

Mr David Orr, Director, Scottish 
  Federation of Housing Associations
  


 

Ms Pat Bagot, Policy and Practice 
  Manager, Scottish Homes
  


 

Ms Suzanne Fitzpatrick, Department 
  of Urban Studies, Glasgow University
  


 

Ms Hilary Reynolds, Department 
  of Social Security
  


 

Ms Catriona Renfrew, Greater Glasgow 
  Health Board
  


 

Mr Bill Robertson, Association 
  of Directors of Social Work
  


 

Mr David Belfall, Head of Group, 
  Development Department, Scottish Executive
  



Tayside Task Force
  

Professor Frank Clark CBE, former 
  General Manager of Lanarkshire Health Board (Chair)
  


 

Mr David Bolton, Director of Primary 
  and Community Service Development at Lothian Primary Care NHS 
  Trust
  


 

Mr Cameron Revie, PricewaterhouseCoopers
  


 

Mr Mike Fuller, Scottish Partnership 
  Forum
  


 

Professor David Rowley, Chairman 
  of Tayside Acute Services Review
  



Gaelic Organisations Task Force
  

Mr John Alick Macpherson, Depute 
  Director of the Gaelic Broadcasting Committee (Chair)
  


 

Ms Maggie Cunningham, BBC Scotland
  


 

Mrs Annie MacSween, Senior Lecturer 
  in Gaelic Development at Lews Castle College
  


 

Mr Donald John MacInnes, Chief 
  Executive of Scotland Europa
  


 

Mr Donald Mackay, Financial Consultant
  



Digital Scotland Task Force
  

Mr Peter Peacock, Deputy Minister 
  for Children and Education
  


 

Mr Robert Crawford, Chief Executive, 
  Scottish Enterprise
  


 

Mr Gordon McKenzie, Scotland Country 
  Manager, Microsoft Limited
  


 

Mr Graham Moore, Director, BT Scotland
  


 

Mr Frank Cullen, Managing Director, 
  NTL Scotland
  


 

Ms Margaret Morrison, Country Manager 
  Scotland and Ireland, Cisco Systems
  


 

Mr Gordon H Brown, Finance Director, 
  IBM UK Limited
  


 

Professor Tom Wilson, Chair of 
  Glasgow, Technology Network, GCBP
  


 

Mr Robert Craig, Director, Scottish 
  Centre for Information and Library Services
  


 

Mr Keith Monserrat, Director, Legal 
  and Regulation, THUS
  


 

Mr Richard Pietrasik, Chief Executive, 
  SCET
  


 

Ms Rachel Willmer, Chief Executive 
  Officer, Intertrader
  


 

Mr Gavin Nicholson, Managing Director, 
  The Realise Group
  


 

Mr Bill Harvey, Deputy Director, 
  The Scottish Funding Councils for Further and Higher Education
  


 

Ms Lesley Beddie, Director of Communications, 
  The Scottish Parliament
  


 

Ms Oonagh Aitken, Chief Executive, 
  CoSLA
  


 

Mr Frank Binnie, Chief Executive, 
  Internet Society of Scotland
  


 

Ms Ann Macintosh, Director, International 
  Teledemocracy Centre
  


 

Mr Chris van der Kuyl, Chief Executive 
  Officer, VIS Interactive plc
  


 

Mr Hugh Aitken, Vice-President 
  Operations, SUN Microsystems Scotland B.V.
  


 

Mr Scott McGlinchey, Director ICL 
  Scotland
  


 

Mr John Elvidge, Secretary, Scottish 
  Executive Education Department
  


 

Mr Alistair Brown, Scottish Executive
  


 

Mr Chris Winslow, Special Adviser
  



Knowledge Economy Task Force
  

Mr Henry McLeish, MP, MSP, Minister 
  for Enterprise and Lifelong Learning (Chair)
  


 

Mr Nicol Stephen, MSP, Deputy Minister 
  for Enterprise and Lifelong Learning
  


 

Mr Hugh Aitken, Vice President, 
  Operations, (Europe, Japan and Asia Pacific), Sun Microsystems; 
  Chairman, Electronics Scotland
  


 

Mr Rae Angus, Principal, Aberdeen 
  College
  


 

Professor John Archer, Principal, 
  Heriot-Watt University
  


 

Dr Janet Brown, Head of Innovation, 
  Scottish Enterprise
  


 

Mr Robert Crawford, Chief Executive, 
  Scottish Enterprise
  


 

Mr Bob Downes, Director, Economic 
  Development, BT
  


 

Dr Cathy Garner, Director, Research 
  and Enterprise, University of Glasgow
  


 

Mr Gordon Guthrie, Technical Architect/IT 
  Strategist at the new Halifax internet bank (greenfield.co.uk)
  


 

Mr Charles Leadbeater, respected 
  author on the knowledge economy
  


 

Ms Shonaig Macpherson, Managing 
  Partner, Edinburgh, McGrigor Donald
  


 

Professor Stephen Molyneux, Microsoft 
  Professor of Advanced Learning Technology, University of Wolverhampton; 
  Director, DELTA (Development and Evaluation of Learning Technology 
  Applications) Institute
  


 

Mr Neil Roden, Director of Human 
  Resources, Royal Bank of Scotland
  


 

Mr Spiro Rombotis, Chief Executive, 
  Cyclacel Ltd
  


 

Professor John Sizer, Chief Executive, 
  SHEFC/SFEFC
  


 

Mr Willie Watt, Director, Scotland, 
  3I plc
  


 

Mr Eddie Frizzell, Secretary, Enterprise 
  and Lifelong Learning Department
  


 

Mr Godfrey Robson, Head of Enterprise 
  and Industrial Affairs Group
  


 

Mr Ed Weeple, Head of Lifelong 
  Learning Group

Telecommunications

Lewis Macdonald (Aberdeen Central) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive what action it proposes to take in relation to existing telecommunication masts, in the light of the Transport and the Environment Committee’s report on the introduction of new planning procedures for telecommunication developments.

Sarah Boyack: I intend to write to the Convenor of the Transport and the Environment Committee with an interim response to the committee's report before our debate on 11 May.

The Partnership Agreement

Mrs Margaret Smith (Edinburgh West) (LD): To ask the Scottish Executive how many of the initiatives outlined in the Partnership Agreement have been implemented.

Mr Jack McConnell: The Partnership Agreement, Partnership for Scotland , is a policy agreement between the Executive parties. The Programme for Government , published last September, turned that policy agreement into a programme of work for the Scottish Executive.

  The Executive is working to implement all of the commitments listed in Programme for Government are implemented. As we approach the first anniversary of the Partnership Agreement, I am pleased to say that 34 of the 37 commitments due to be in place by May 2000 have been delivered in full, with a further two delivered in part.

  We are abolishing feudal tenure. We have reformed the laws on the welfare and finances of adults with incapacity, Tuition fees for higher education have gone, and our schools and hospitals have record investment.

  We have much progress to celebrate one year on.

Trade Unions

Hugh Henry (Paisley South) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive what steps are being taken to ensure that trade union members in Scotland can access similar learning opportunities to those available in England and Wales through the Trade Union Learning Fund.

Nicol Stephen: The Scottish Executive has agreed in principle to a Trade Union Learning Fund for Scotland; and also to the establishment of a Trade Union Working Party on Lifelong Learning to consider how trade unions can continue their valuable contribution to the development and implementation of lifelong learning initiatives.

  Enterprise and Lifelong Learning Department officials are in discussion with the STUC about how these initiatives can best be taken forward in conjunction with the STUC's new Lifelong Learning Unit.

Water Industry

Tavish Scott (Shetland) (LD): To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will widen the membership of the proposed Water Forum from members of the CBI to other representatives of Scotland’s businesses.

Sarah Boyack: The CBI in Scotland has agreed to help the Executive organise a Water Forum for large volume users of water and wastewater services; but it is not my intention that membership of the forum should be limited to membership of the CBI.

Water Industry

Michael Matheson (Central Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive whether all domestic water supplies will comply with the Drinking Water Directive (98/83/EC) by the year 2013.

Sarah Boyack: Draft regulations transposing the Drinking Water Directive into Scottish legislation will be the subject of a consultation exercise during the summer. The proposed draft requires water undertakers to submit programmes of work designed to secure compliance with the regulations to Scottish Ministers for their approval.

Scottish Parliamentary Corporate Body

Parliamentary Accommodation

Ms Sandra White (Glasgow) (SNP): To ask the Presiding Officer whether the Scottish Parliamentary Corporate Body has taken advice on best practice in relation to records management, including the use of electronic records, with a view to minimising the office space used for records storage in the new Parliament building.

Sir David Steel: The task of implementing an electronic records management system for the Holyrood building is the final stage of a records management project which addresses systems for the Mound and Holyrood.

  The aim is to install an electronic records management system, not simply to minimise storage space in the new Parliament building, but also to ensure that the Parliament is in the forefront of best practice for electronic records management. As part of its research on best practice, the project team has already visited a number of public sector sites, and consulted with the National Archives of Scotland and the Public Record Office.

Scottish Parliament Logo

Linda Fabiani (Central Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Presiding Officer who were commissioned to submit proposals for the Scottish Parliament "logo".

Sir David Steel: Only one logo design has been commissioned for the Scottish Parliament. Redpath were commissioned to propose design ideas to accompany their existing text-based corporate identity, one of which was based upon the winning entry in the students competition held last year. One of the designs proposed by Redpath was developed for full design and production as the logo. The design costs are commercial-in-confidence, but the overall project costs, which cover several aspects including copyright, design, and trademark application, are around £20,000.